Cricket
Pakistan take lead after Noman and Sajid spin a web around West Indies
Multan (PCB Report): Pakistan finished the day two of the first Multan Test against West Indies with a 202-run lead after the spin twins Noman Ali and Sajid Khan wreaked havoc with the ball here at the Multan Cricket Stadium on Saturday.Pakistan were 109-3 in the second innings at stumps in 31 overs when bad light forced stumps. Skipper Shan Masood returned after scoring a 70-ball 52 with the help of two fours and two sixes, while Mohammad Huraira stayed at the crease for 58 balls accumulating 29 runs with the help of three fours.Kamran Ghulam and Saud Shakeel will be on the crease as Pakistan resume their second innings on day three.Earlier in the day, Noman and Sajid shared nine wickets among them to dismantle the West Indies batting line-up who were restricted for 137 all out in 25.2 overs. Noman starred with figures of 5-39 in 11 overs, his seventh Test five-for.Sajid started the damage with four wickets upfront while bowling with the new ball as West Indies slipped to 22-4. After opening the bowling, he took back to back wickets on the first two balls of the third over of innings and then struck twice in the fifth over.For West Indies, No.10 batter Jomel Warrican top-scored with an unbeaten 31 off 24 balls hitting four boundaries and one six. Jayden Seales, batting at No 11, contributed with a 13-ball 22-run cameo clubbing three sixes, while Gudakesh Motie chipped in with 19 runs.Warrican and Seales also came together for a valuable 21-ball 46-run last wicket partnership.At the beginning of the play, Pakistan resumed from their overnight score of 143-4 and could only add 87 runs to their total as the two half-centurions Saud Shakeel (84, 157b, 6x4s) and Mohammad Rizwan (71, 133b, 9x4s) were removed by Kevin Sinclair. Seales and Warrican picked up three wickets each.Scores in brief (Day 2 of 5)1st Test – Pakistan vs West Indies at the Multan Cricket Stadium, MultanToss: Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat firstPakistan 230 all out, 68.5 overs (Saud Shakeel 84, Mohammad Rizwan 71; Jayden Seales 3-27, Jomel Warrican 3-69, Kevin Sinclair 2-61, Gudakesh Motie 1-48) and 109-3, 31 overs (Shan Masood 52, Mohammad Huraira 29; Jomel Warrican 2-17)West Indies 137 all out, 25.2 overs (Jomel Warrican 31 not out, Jayden Seales 22, Gudakesh Motie 19; Noman Ali 5-39, Sajid Khan 4-65)
CRICKET - Physically Handicap 12 Jan, 2025
Sports Bulletin ReportColombo (Sri Lanka): The India Physical Disability Cricket Team overpowered Pakistan by 109 runs in a match of the Four-nation PD Chaipions Trophy T20 Cricket Tournament 2025 at the BOI Cricket ground in Sri Lanka on Sunday.India won the toss and decided to bat first, posting a formidable total of 160 for the loss of four wickets in their allotted 20 over as Nikhil Manhas scored 59 off 47 balls, hitting three fours and as many as six, Vikrant Keni made Made 37 off 23 balls with two boundaries and two sixes, Kunal Phanase contributed 30 off 31 balls with four fours. Wakif Shah captured two wicket for 22 runs, Abdullah Ejaz took 1- 26 and Momin Khan 1- 33.Chasing 161, Pakistan were all out only 51 runs in ,12.2 overs. Abdul Khaliq was not out on 13 off 11 balls while Skipper Abdullah Ejaz made 11 off 6 with a six. balls as Indian’s bowlers.Majid grabbed three wicket for 24, Jitendra and Narendra took two wickets each, giving away 5, and 6 runs respectively.
Women's Ashes 2025: England beaten in opening ODI
Islamabad (Sports Desk): England were beaten by four wickets in their first One Day International of the Women's Ashes against Australia in Sydney. Australia's Ash Gardner took 3-19 as England were bowled out for 203, and then scored an unbeaten 42 to lead her side to victory with 11.1 overs to spare.The home side won the toss and elected to bowl. After Maia Bouchier's early dismissal, captain Heather Knight (39 off just 49 balls) combined with Tammy Beaumont and later Nat Sciver-Brunt to put some pressure on the hosts while 69 runs from Danni Wyatt-Hodge and Amy Jones kept hopes of setting a competitive score alive.England were at 91-2, before Australia removed Knight and all-rounder Sciver-Brunt in consecutive Gardner overs. The tourists lost four of their final five wickets for single digits, setting the hosts a score of 204 for victory. Lauren Filer dismissed opener Phoebe Litchfield but a dominant performance from captain Alyssa Healy set the hosts on their way.Lauren Bell and Sophie Ecclestone impressed with the ball, the former taking an important wicket of Ellyse Perry and recording figures of 1-25 but captain Healy’s knock of 70 from 78 balls and Gardner's quick 42 helped the hosts across the line.The win gives Australia a 2-0 lead on points in the multi-format series. The second ODI of three takes place at the Junction Oval in Melbourne on 13 January (23:05 GMT).
PCB names squad for Multan Test against West Indies.
Sports Bulletin ReportLAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Saturday announced a 15-player squad for the two ICC World Test Championship Tests against the West Indies, scheduled to be played in Multan from 17-21 January and 25-29 January.The squad features seven changes from the 15-member Test team that toured South Africa. The retained players are: Shan Masood (captain), Saud Shakeel (vice-captain), Babar Azam, Kamran Ghulam, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Rizwan, Noman Ali and Salman Ali Agha.To strengthen the spin department, off-spinner Sajid Khan and mystery spinner Abrar Ahmed have been recalled to partner with left-arm spinner Noman Ali. As part of workload management, the pace quartet of Aamir Jamal, Mohammad Abbas, Mir Hamza and Naseem Shah has been rested. In their place, the selectors have retained Khurram Shahzad, but recalled Mohammad Ali and included uncapped Kashif Ali.Openers Imam-ul-Haq and Mohammad Huraira have also been brought back, replacing an injured Saim Ayub and an out-of-form Abdullah Shafique.In the absence of wicketkeeper-batter Haseebullah, who sustained a split in his right-hand webbing during the Cape Town Test and requires two more weeks to fully recover, former Pakistan U19 and Shaheens captain Rohail Nazir has been added to the squad.Pakistan squad for the West Indies Tests:Shan Masood (captain), Saud Shakeel (vice-captain), Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Imam-ul-Haq, Kamran Ghulam, Kashif Ali, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Huraira, Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper/batter), Noman Ali, Rohail Nazir (wicketkeeper/batter), Sajid Khan, and Salman Ali Agha.
ILT20 3: Sharjah Warriorz Banking on Match-Winners and Experience
Sports Bulletin ReportSharjah (UAE): Winning crucial moments and maximising the powerplay – these are a couple of aspects that the Sharjah Warriorz have their eyes on as they prepare for an entertaining Season 3 of the DP World ILT20. The Sharjah Warriorz, who will be captained by Tim Southee and has JP Duminy as the head coach, will commence their campaign at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium against the Gulf Giants on 12 January. Former South African cricketer JP Duminy wants his side to keep things relatively simple and take it one game at a time. He said, “It is crucial to keep things simple during the game. From a tactical point of view, understanding the different phases in the game is important and it is also crucial to be able to win them, so you give yourself the best chance.” “Everyone wants to win the DP World ILT20, but the critical piece will always be the how and that's something that we're going to discuss and understand as we progress in the tournament. It will depend on the conditions are we facing and that'll be an evolving conversation,” the South African explained. Leg-spinner Adil Rashid added, “The Sharjah Warriorz are not going to look too far ahead, and it’s about playing the game that’s in front of you, and executing the plans to perfection. It's a game of cricket and there are ups and downs, so we want to keep things really simple. Whatever challenges lie ahead of us we want to win that battle first and then move onto the next.” While it is a one-game at a time approach for the Sharjah Warriorz, the coach further spoke about the importance of consistency and experience. “Adil is a very experienced bowler, who understands how to impact the game, and is one of the match-winners for the Sharjah Warriorz. Along with that, I think the top order with Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Johnson Charles and Jason Roy, if they can be consistent, it gives us a great chance to do well too,” the coach said. “Our captain, Tim Southee also brings a wealth of experience into the team and has always done well in the T20 format over the years, and we just hope we can execute our plans well. How do we give ourselves the best chance is the critical question, and how do we ensure we are prepared every single day in training and in matches is going to be the critical piece,” added JP Duminy. Adil Rashid, who has played more than 400 T20 matches in his career, spoke about how he prepares for matches. “For me, it is about playing to my strengths and working on my plans, and keeping things simple. What is my role in the team? I'm in the team to try create chances, and hopefully pick up wickets, so I work accordingly. I have been fortunate to play for 15-plus years, and knowing your game well definitely helps deal with situations during the game,” he said.
Athanaze hits 99 as West Indies begin prep for two-match Test series
Sports ReportIslamabad:West Indies closed the opening day of the three-day warm-up match against Pakistan Shaheens with 273-7 in 74 overs on the back of Alick Athanaze’s 99 at the Islamabad Club on Friday. The toss was uncontested as the teams mutually decided for the West Indies to bat first in this non-first-class fixture. Left hander Athanaze, batting at No.5, faced 142 balls, which included 15 fours and one six. He was dismissed by Ahmed Safi Abdullah one shy of century. Earlier in the day, opening batters Kraigg Brathwaite (34, 39, 5x4s, 1x6) and Mikyle Louis (34, 63b, 4x4s, 1x6) stitiched a 47-run opening partnership before the former fell to Ahmed Safi. Louis, Keacy Carty (22, 46b, 3x4s) and Kavem Hodge (17, 22b, 2x4s) became Mohammad Rameez Jnr’s preys, as the right-arm leg-spinner returned figures of 3-40 in 13 overs. Amir Jangoo (29 not out, 42b, 2x4s, 1x6) and Joshua Da Silva (11 not out, 28b) will resume batting for West Indies on day two with 16 overs remaining in the first innings as the first dig for both the teams has been restricted to 90 overs for maximum practice. Apart from Rameez Jnr and Ahmed Safi, Hussain Talat was the other wicket-taker for Shaheens as he dismissed Tevin Imlach (13, 36b, 1x4). Scores in brief Warm-up match (Day 1 of 3): Pakistan Shaheens vs West Indies at the Islamabad Club Ground Toss – Uncontested West Indies 273-7, 74 overs (Alick Athanaze 99, Kraigg Brathwaite 34, Mikyle Louis 34, Amir Jangoo 29 not out, Keacy Carty 22; Mohammad Rameez Jnr 3-40, Ahmed Safi Abdullah 2-91).
From Hat-Trick to Wedding Bells: Maheesh’s eventful January
(By: BIPIN DANI) On Wednesday, Maheesh Theekshana, the talented Sri Lankan spinner, made headlines when he took a sensational hat trick against New Zealand in the second ODI match at Seddon Park, Hamilton. Despite his heroics, Sri Lanka lost the match by a huge margin. Theekshana's hat trick, which included dismissing Mitchell Santner, Nathan Smith, and Matt Henry in consecutive deliveries (in split overs) was a historic moment as he became the first spinner from Sri Lanka to achieve this feat against New Zealand.Theekshana's remarkable performance earned him praise from fans and cricket pundits alike. However, the loss was a tough blow for the Sri Lankan team, who struggled to keep up with New Zealand's dominant performance.Amidst the highs and lows of his cricketing career, Maheesh has something else to look forward to. On January 17th, he will be tying the knot with his girlfriend, Arthika Yonali, at the luxurious Shangri-La Hotel in Colombo. Arthika is a daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Siyambalapitiya. The wedding is set to be a grand affair, with many of his friends and seniors from the cricketing world are expected to attend.In his wedding invitation, which is seen by this reporter, it is written, "True love is the greatest adventure". Arthika, a beautiful and supportive partner, has been by Maheesh's side through his journey in cricket. Their love story has been a source of inspiration for many, and their wedding is eagerly anticipated by fans and well-wishers.As Maheesh prepares for his big day, he reflects on his journey from a young boy in Sedawatta, Colombo, to becoming a key player for Sri Lanka and the Chennai Super Kings in the IPL. His dedication and hard work have paid off, and now he looks forward to a new chapter in his life with Arthika.
Blind Cricket Trophy: KPK and Islamabad post victories on Day-3
Sports Bulletin ReportKARACHI: Khyber Pakhtunkawa (KPK) and Islamabad have won their matches on the Day-3 of A S Ali Blind Cricket Trophy National One-Day here after beating their respective opponents at two different venues on Wednesday.KPK beat Balochistan by 134 runs at PAF Faisal Base Sports Ground: The 5th match of the tournament was played between Balochistan and KPK at the PAF Faisal Base Sports Ground. Balochistan won the toss and chose to bowl first. KPK displayed a formidable batting performance, posting a total of 408 runs for the loss of 7 wickets in their first innings. The standout performances came from Akmal Hayat Nasir and Haroon Khan, both of whom played explosive innings. Akmal scored a magnificent 191 runs off just 129 balls, while Haroon Khan contributed a swift 102 runs off 65 balls. Their partnership was crucial in setting a robust total that put immense pressure on the Balochistan side. Balochistan's bowling attack showed determination with Kamran Akhter being the pick of the bowlers taking 3 wickets, while Niamat Ullah chipped in with 1 wicket.In response, Balochistan struggled to keep up with the required run rate and was eventually bowled out for 270 runs in just 31.2 overs. Naseeb Ullah emerged as the top scorer for Balochistan, making 65 runs off 43 balls. Naeem Ullah and Fasih Ullah also made valuable contributions, scoring 51 off 48 balls and 38 off 28 balls, respectively. KPK's bowling unit was disciplined and effective led by Muhammad Ayyaz who took 3 wickets. Haroon Khan demonstrated his all-round capabilities by claiming 2 wickets while Mohsin, Idrees and Amjad each contributed 1 wicket. Akmal Hayat Nasir was judged best player of the match.Islamabad beat Sindh by 55 runs at NED Cricket Ground: In a thrilling encounter, Islamabad triumphed over Sindh by 55 runs in a high-scoring match. After winning the toss, Sindh chose to put Islamabad into bat, a decision that proved challenging as Islamabad set a formidable total of 501 runs for the loss of just 2 wickets in their 40 overs. Moain Aslam was the standout performer for Islamabad, showcasing his remarkable batting skill with a stunning unbeaten 224 runs off just 121 balls. Captain Mati Ullah complimented him with an impressive unbeaten 148 runs off 93 balls, making significant contributions to the score. Their partnership was instrumental in achieving the massive total while Fakhar Abbas from Sindh claimed the only wicket for his side.In response, Sindh mounted a commendable chase finishing their innings at 446 runs all out in 38.2 overs. Ayoub Khan was the star for Sindh scoring a brilliant 144 runs off 82 balls well supported by Zafar Iqbal, who contributed 84 runs off 66 balls. Despite their valiant efforts and a spirited chase Sindh fell short of the target set by Islamabad. On the bowling front for Islamabad, Imran was the most effective bowler, taking 3 wickets while Sanwal, Imran and Kashif each chipped in with 1 wicket. Moain Aslam got man of the match award.
Australian pacer Boland breaks into top 10 after Sydney showing
Sports Bulletin ReportDubai (UAE): Australia fast bowler Scott Boland has broken into the top 10 of the ICC Men’s Test Bowling Rankings for the first time after helping his team defeat India by six wickets in Sydney to win their ICC World Test Championship series 3-1.The 35-year-old, who finished with a haul of 10 for 86 in the fifth Test match, has progressed 29 slots and is ranked joint-ninth along with India all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja. Boland’s previous best was 36th position that he had attained in June 2023 after picking five wickets in the ICC World Test Championship Final against India.Jasprit Bumrah remains at the top of the list adding one rating point and going up to 908 (improving on the record for Indian bowlers) even as Australia captain Pat Cummins and South Africa’s Kagiso Rabada have inched up a slot each to reach second and third positions, respectively.In the latest weekly rankings that also take into consideration the second Test between South Africa and Pakistan in Cape Town and the second Test between Zimbabwe and Afghanistan in Bulawayo, South Africa spinner Keshav Maharaj has advanced two places to 17th position after taking five wickets in Cape Town while Blessing Muzarabani of Zimbabwe (up five places to 43rd) and Rashid Khan of Afghanistan (re-entered at 54th position) are others to gain.Huge gains for South Africa batters: South Africa batters have made huge inroads after their 10-wicket victory over Pakistan. Ryan Rickelton’s match-winning 259 has lifted him 48 places to 55th position while captain Temba Bavuma (up three places to a career-best-equalling sixth position) and wicketkeeper Kyle Verreynne (up four places to 24th) have also advanced after notching centuries.Rishabh Pant of India is back in the top 10, while Pakistan’s Baba Azam (up five places to 12th) and Shan Masood (up 12 places to 45th), Afghanistan’s Rahmad Shah (up 26 places to 26th) and Zimbabwe’s Craig Ervine (up 10 places to 37th) are among others to move the batting rankings.South Africa’s Marco Jansen, named Player of the Series after finishing with 10 wickets and 80 runs, has moved up two slots to second among all-rounders.In the Men’s ODI Rankings, Will Young (up nine places to joint-13th) and Rachin Ravindra (up six places to joint-50th) in batting and Matt Henry (up six places to 12th) in bowling have gained after the first match of their series against Sri Lanka in Wellington.Kusal Perera (up 26 places to 10th) of Sri Lanka and Daryl Mitchell (up five places to 41st) of New Zealand have moved up the T20I batting list after the last match of a preceding T20I series while Nuwan Thushara (up nine places to 26th) and Henry (up four places to 38th) are among the bowlers to progress.
Pakistan Cricket Board provides stadia upgradation update
Lahore (PR): The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) today announced that preparations for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 were in full swing, with the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore and National Bank Stadium in Karachi nearing completion to host tournament matches.In a regular update, the PCB assured the fans, spectators and media that all upgradation work was progressing on schedule and will be completed before or around the set deadlines. Given the advanced stage of preparations at Gaddafi Stadium and National Bank Stadium, the PCB has decided to relocate the upcoming tri-nation ODI series to these two venues. The series, featuring New Zealand and South Africa alongside Pakistan, was originally scheduled to be held in Multan.This decision reflects the PCB’s confidence in the readiness of these upgraded venues and their ability to deliver a world-class experience for players, officials and fans alike. Further details regarding the series will be shared in due course.Upgrades at Gaddafi Stadium: The spectator capacity at Gaddafi Stadium has been increased to 35,000, with new chairs installed throughout the venue. Additionally, 480 state-of-the-art LED lights have been installed to enhance broadcast LUX levels, ensuring superior viewing quality for fans worldwide. To further elevate the spectator experience, two giant digital replay screens - measuring 80 feet x 30 feet and 22 feet x 35 feet - will be installed next week. The stadium is set to be inaugurated in the last week of January. A brand-new players’ and officials’ hospitality enclosure has also been created, which will be operational by 25 January. The iconic stadium is set to provide an unparalleled experience for all stakeholders.Upgrades at National Bank Stadium: At the National Bank Stadium, significant enhancements have been made, including the creation of a new players’ and officials’ hospitality enclosure at the University End. To improve broadcast coverage, 350 LED lights have been installed, ensuring optimal visibility for global audiences. Two digital replay screens have already been fixed, and 5,000 new chairs have been installed to enhance spectator comfort.Upgrades at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium: Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium is undergoing minor touch-ups, focusing on the installation of 10,000 new chairs, upgrades to hospitality boxes and the installation of two digital replay screens. These improvements are designed to ensure the stadium exceeds international standards for upcoming events.Maintenance of playing surfaces: Throughout the upgradation process, PCB curators, under the supervision of Tony Hemming, have diligently maintained the outfields and playing surfaces to keep them protected, healthy and fresh. To prioritise these efforts, no competitive cricket has been played in Lahore and Karachi since the commencement of the upgrades, while Rawalpindi last hosted a match late last year.Commitment to Excellence: The PCB is fully committed to ensuring that all venues are ready to host the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 and other international matches. With over 250 workers laboring day and night to meet the 25 January deadline, the PCB is confident that the upgrades will elevate the fan experience and uphold Pakistan’s reputation as a premier cricketing destination.
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